EC Info

Sometimes referred to as the “morning after pill,” emergency contraception (EC) is a method of birth control that can prevent pregnancy after sex.

EC can be used if you had unprotected sex in the past 5 days. You can use EC if:

  • you didn’t use birth control
  • you were late with your regular method
  • the condom broke 
  • you were forced to have unprotected sex

WHAT IS EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION?

EC is a safe and effective method of birth control that can prevent pregnancy after sex. EC is not the abortion pill. It will not work if you are already pregnant. It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections or HIV/AIDS.

HOW DOES EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION WORK?

EC can prevent pregnancy by delaying or inhibiting ovulation. It may also inhibit fertilization.

There are four brands of EC (Plan B® One-Step, Next Choice®, Levonorgestrel tablets and ella®) approved for pregnancy prevention:


(For a hi-res version of this chart, click here.)

There are several options for emergency contraception available. It is important to take action as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Understand your options and take the method that’s best for you.

1 Levonorgestrel tablets are available primarily in Rite Aid pharmacies and other locations nationwide.

2 The label for Plan B® One-Step says to take the pill within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. Research has shown that it is effective when used within 120 hours after unprotected sex. Source: Trussell J, Schwarz EB. Emergency Contraception. In Hatcher RA, Trussell J, Nelson AL, Cates W, Kowal D, Policar MS. Contraceptive Technology: Twentieth Revised Edition. Atlanta GA: Ardent Media, 2011.

3 The labels for Next Choice® and Levonorgestrel tablets say to take one pill within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse and another pill 12 hours later. Research has shown that both pills can be taken at the same time with no decrease in efficacy or increase in side effects and that they are effective when used within 120 hours after unprotected sex. Source: Trussell J, Schwarz EB. Emergency Contraception. In Hatcher RA, Trussell J, Nelson AL, Cates W, Kowal D, Policar MS. Contraceptive Technology: Twentieth Revised Edition. Atlanta GA: Ardent Media, 2011.

4 Costs may vary.

5 You do not need an existing prescription to order ella® online at: http://www.ella-kwikmed.com. Each patient must complete their own online diagnostic medical assessment. The physician reviewing your medical assessment, as well as the pharmacist filling your prescription, may contact you for additional information and/or decline your request for a prescription based on the information you provide. KwikMed does not charge for its online medical consultation. The online pharmacy cannot ship ella® to North Carolina, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, and Oregon.

6 While the efficacy of Plan B® One-Step, Next Choice®, and Levonorgestrel tablets declines over time, the efficacy of ella® does not (up to 120 hours). Research suggests that ella® is more effective than Plan B® One-Step or Next Choice®; visit the Emergency Contraception website for more information on efficacy.

The Back Up Your Birth Control campaign is a project of the National Institute for Reproductive Health.

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